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Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has moved to dismiss suggestions of a rift between him and the club's senior players.

The Spaniard has overseen a poor run of results since taking over the reins on an interim basis, and has reportedly had his training methods questioned by club captain John Terry in recent weeks.

"(The relationship is) fantastic. They are training really well," he said.

"The atmosphere is really good inside. They are a good group of players, working hard and keen to learn.

"I talk with them every day and they know what we are trying to do every game. 

"Sometimes we do better or worse, but we are scoring more goals and conceding less than before.

Roberto Mancini believes Jack Rodwell is ready to become a star for both Manchester City and England.

The 21-year-old, who arrived from Everton for 12 million pounds over the summer, has struggled to make a telling impact at the Etihad Stadium thus far due to a spate of injuries.

However, the Italian coach says he hopes the Southport-born youngster can now start to fulfil his potential having made an encouraging comeback in Sunday's 2-0 win over Chelsea.

"We bought Jack because we think he is a good player," he said. 

"He is young and it's clear he can improve, but this year he has been unlucky with three or four injuries in a row, which meant he couldn't train very well.

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has commissioned a life-size statue of himself to stand in his Brescia home.

The Italy international hopes to see his goal celebration from the 2-1 win over Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2012 immortalised in bronze.

The statue is, of course, the latest in a long line of curious purchases by the maverick striker. 

The 22-year-old is known to own a camouflaged Bentley and, upon his arrival in England, famously returned from a shopping trip with a giant trampoline and two Vespa scooters instead of the household items his mother requested he purchase.

Stand-in Barcelona coach Jordi Roura admitted Real Madrid were far superior in their 3-1 victory in the Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday.

An early goal from Cristiano Ronaldo set the tone before the Portuguese attacker doubled the lead in the second half, and Raphael Varane's header ensured that Jordi Alba's late effort meant nothing as the Blancos went through to face Sevilla or Atletico Madrid in the Spanish cup final.

"In the first round and in the Supercopa, the two teams were matched. They were decided by details. [But tonight, Madrid] were far superior and we lacked effectiveness," Roura said.

Cristiano Ronaldo has branded Real Madrid's performance in the 3-1 Copa del Rey victory over Barcelona on Tuesday evening as 'perfect'.

Jose Mourinho's men entered the match at Camp Nou having earned a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu, and a double from the former Manchester United man, followed by a header from Raphael Varane helped los Blancos on their way to a memorable win against their Clasico rivals.

And the Portuguese striker was delighted, praising the attitude of the side as a whole.

"It was a very good game from the first minute to last," he said.

"We were very serious, and showed a great attitude. We played better and scored three goals away from home.

Marseille's Souleymane Diawara is motivated by the opportunity to play against 'world-class' PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Wednesday.

The two sides clash in a Coupe de France round of 16 match and the 34-year-old Senegalese defender is relishing the chance to pit himself against the former AC Milan and Barcelona striker.

"I like to face world-class players." Diawara told reporters.

"When you're defending and you have the chance to play against players like that it sure is motivating."

Ibrahimovic has scored 22 league goals for the Ligue 1 leaders this season, yet the former Bordeaux defender has no special plans for the 31-year-old Swede.

Betting Tip: 1

Odd: 1.80

With the visitors' hopes of retaining their title long gone, they will be hoping to defeat their rivals and win the cup for a second year in a row